Watchman&#39;s clock



T. A. RENDLE AND A'. BEYEB.

WATCHMANS CLOCK.

APPLICATION FILED on. 22. I919.

Patented Au 9, 1921.

2 SHEEIS-SHEET I.

fl v 44 'T. A. RENDLEAND A. BEYER.

WATCHMANS CLOCK.

A PPLICATION FILED OCT. 22, 1919.

Patented Aug. 9, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS A. RENDLE AND ALOIS BEYER, 'OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORS TO EARDINGE BROTHERS, INC., OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

Application filed October 22, 1919.

Toall whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, THOMAS A. RENDLE and Arms BEYER, citizens of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Watchmens Clocks, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

Our invention relates to improvements in watchmens clocks of the type adapted for making a record upon a record receiving dial or disk, and has for one of its objects, the provision of improved mechanism for carrying out the recording operation.

Devices of this type usually include a record receiving dial, clock mechanism for advancing the dial, and a key or recording element arranged for making a record on the dial. In the common form of watchmens clocks of this type, it has been the practice to provide a key operating element, which when actuated moves the key toward and against the dial with a comparatively slow movement. It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide a recording key operating mechanism, which when actuated, causes the key to strike the dial with a hammer blow, as distinguished from the pushing movement heretofore employed.

A further object resides in the provision of simple, efiicient and easily manufactured mechanism for operating and guiding the key.

Another object is the provision of improved mechanism for making a record on the dial whenever the clock casing is opened.

Our invention also provides an improved construction whereby the character carried by the key is protected from injury. These and other objects of the present invention will be pointed out in detail in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a front elevational View of the watchmans clock of our invention, some of the parts being broken away to reveal more clearly the interior construction of the clock;

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross sectional view taken along the line 22 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 9, 1921.

Serial No. 332,396.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken along the line 33 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, showing the locking lever in its open position.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5, showing the key operating mechanism in its advanced or actuated position.

Fig. 7 is a perspective View of the recording key;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail View of the shutter mechanism normally interposed between the keyway andthe dial;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8, showing the shutter mechanism in its open positlon;

Fig. 10 is a horizontal cross sectional view taken along the line 1010 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 10, showing the inner oifset portion of the recording key in the key-guide;

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 5, showing a modified form of key operating mechanism, and

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 12, show ing the key operating mechanism in its advanced or actuated position.

Similar characters of reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referrin first to Figs. 1 and 2, 1 1 designates a clock casing, Within which is mounted the clock mechanism 15 including the dial 16 and the cooperating hands 17. The back of the casing 14 is open and arranged to be closed by the hinged back shown at 18.

Extending rearwardly from the clock mechanism 15 is a dial operating shaft 19 cotiperating with a clamping cap 20 for advancing the dial 21. The upper end of the dial, as shown in Fig. 2, extends into the space 22 formed in the recording mechanism shown at 23. This recording mechanism includes a casting 24 and a plate 25, the latter being fixed to the casting and spaced therefrom, as shown in Fig. 2, to provide the opening into which the dial extends. Extending vertically through the casting 24, and through a collar26 attached to the easing, is a key-way 27 arranged to receivea key 28 oi the shape shown in Fig. 7. The key 28 comprises the shank 29 and oiliset portion 30, carrying the type or printing character 31. Extending upwardly from the offset portion 30, and above the type 31, are. two lugs 32 and which prevent injury to the type 31 when the key is jarred against some hard substance. Extending longitudinally alone" the shank 29 is a groove 3 ia ranged when inserted into the key opera" I mechanism shown in Figs. 5 and 6 to recei e the plate forming part of the lever 36, pivoted at 37 to the casting 21-. The free end of the lever 36 is hooked as shown at 3b to embrace the side of the key opposite the slot 34:. Extending over the free end of the lever 36 is a second lever 9 pivoted to the casting 2st as shown at Pivotally connected to the lever 39, intermediate its ends, is a plunger etl provided with a groove 42 arranged for cooperation with a spring pressed detent d3. The upper end of the plunger -11 extends through the front of the clock casing and carries a finger-piece t l arranged to be pressed by the operator in the recording operation 01" the key. The plate 25 carries the several depressions shown at 45, which correspond with the type 31 carried by the several keys which are u ed with the clock. The plate 25 is also provided with the two comparatively deep depressions %4-6 arranged to receive the protecting lugs 32 and 38 of the key.

Pivoted at r? to the casting '2. as is most clearly shown in Fig". 8. is a shutter operating lever 48 carrying; an extension 49 normally extending into the key-way 2'7. tending upwardly from the lever a8 is :1 lug 50 extendinginto a slot 51v formed in a shutter plate 52 shown in dotted lines in Figs. 8 and 9. The shutter plate 52 is arranged itor movement in the guideways shown at and 54. A spring acting between the lever 48 and the casting 2st serves to hold the shutter mechanism in the position shown in Fig. 8. The shutter 52 is normally interposed between the key-way 2'7 and the dial 21, and cannot be moved to the position shown in Fig. 9 except by the insertion of a proper key.

The operation of the mechanism thus far described is as follows:

A key of the type shown in Fig. 7 is inserted into the key-way 27, and as the oftset portion 30 of the key engages the extension d9 of the lever 4:8, the lever is moved in a clockwise direction, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, and the shutter plate 52 moved away from the key-way as shown in Fig. 9. When the key is in this position, the offset portion 30 thereof is in alinement with the depressions 4-5 in the plate 25, the reduced shank 29 lying to the right side of the key-way 27. (See Fig. 2.) There is then a.

certain amount of space to the left of the shank so that the key may be moved by the actuating lever toward the plate The operator presses downwardly on the thumbpiece id. the pressure being increased until the resistance of the spring detent mechanism L3 is overcome, with the result that the levers 39 and 36 are suddenly snapped inwardly. Due to the connection between the key and the lever 36, as most clearly shown in Fig. 5. the key is moved toward and againstthe dial with a. hammer blow, and the type 31 carried by the key is caused to make an impression on the dial. The pressure is then relieved from the thumbpiece id and the spring); 56 permitted to return the parts to their normal positions. If desired, the collar 26 containing the key guideway may be provided with a lue' 57 arranged to cooperate with the groove 34 in the key. the groove in the key being onlarged at 58 to permit free movementof the key after it has been inserted into the recording mechanism. This arrangement prevents the use of any keys except those which are intended to be used with the clock.

Referring now to the constructiol'i shown in Figs. 3 and a, 59 ClCSlfIZlHtGS a hook e.- tendingr inwardly {from the hinged cover 1.8. Arranged to cooperate with this hook is a locking lever 60 pivoted at 61 to the clock casing. The lever 60 includes an arm 62 which carries a knife 63 arranged when the lever is moved in a clockwise direction, as shown in Figs. 3 and l, to pass through the dial. The inner or operating: end of the lever 60 extends into a cam slot 64: termed in the gear 10k 65. The rear rack 65 cooperates with apinion 66. in turn operated by a suitable key inserted in the key-guide shown at 6?. In the operation of this mechanism the key is inserted in the key-guide 67 and given a coroner-clockwise rotation,

(Fig. 1). Due to the cooperation of the gear rack and pinion, the rack 65 is moved downwardly as shown in Fig. 1 and the operating end of the lever 60 is swung in a clockwise direction as shown in F 3 and 4. This movement of the lever results in releasal of the hook member 59 and the cutting action of the knife 63 carried by the lever.

In the modified arrangement shown in Figs. 12 and 13, the plunger 41 is pro vided with the groove 70, into which extends a pin 71 carried by the finger-piece 72. This permits the finger-piece 72 to have certain longitudinal movement relatively to-the plunger d1. Interposed be tween the finger-piece 72 and the plunger 4-1 is a coil compression spring 73 normally holding the parts in the position shown in F 12. In the operation of this device, the finger-piece '72 is pressed downwardly until enough pressure is stored in the s ring 73 to overcome the resistance otl'erec by the spring detent 48. The spring 73 then serves to move the recording key against the dial as shown in Fig. 13. This arrangement does not necessitate further movement of the finger-piece 72 after the detent 43 releases the plunger.

Having thus described my invention, what 1 claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a watchmans clock the combination of a casing, a record receiving means therein, a recording element for making a record thereon, and devices for striking the record ing element against the record receiving means, said devices comprising a pivoted recording element carrier, a finger-piece, a spring interposed between the finger-piece and carrier arranged to store energy applied to the finger-piece, and a resistance member preventing operation of the carrier until a certain predetermined amount of energy has been stored in the spring.

2. Recording mechanism for watchmens clocks comprising a support, a key-carrier pivoted to the support, a lever pivoted to the support and having its free end extending over the key-carrier for operating the latter,

a plunger connected with said lever, a fingerpiece on the plunger and a detent between the support and plunger for resisting the initial movement of the plunger.

3. Recording mechanism for watchmans clocks comprising a casing, a support therein, a key carrier in said support, a lever for moving said carrier, means for actuating said lever, and a detent for resisting the initial movement of said means.

4. Recording mechanism forwatchmans clocks comprising a casing, a support, a key carrier pivoted to said support, means for actuating said carrier and a detent for rcsistinv the initial movement of said means.

5. ecording mechanism for watchmans clocks comprising a support having a keyway therein, a platen, a shutter normally extending over the keyway between said keyway and platen, a lever normally extending into said keyway for operating said shutter, a recording k'ey adapted to be received in said keyway, said key having printing characters thereon arranged to be received in said platen and lugs on said key adjacent said p 'inting characters.

6. Recording mechanism for watchmans clocks comprising a support having a keyway therein, a platen, a shutter normally extending over the keyway between said keyway and platen, a recording key arranged to be received in said keyway, type characters on said key for cooperating with said platen, and lugs on said key for operating said shutter and for protecting said type characters substantially as described.

In witness whereof, we hereunto subscribe our names this 9th day of October, 1919.

THOMAS A. RENDLE. ALOIS BEYER.

Witnesses CLARA WILMERS, ANNA THoMMEs. 

